Three expert judges will award prizes for best film, best animation,
best experimental film, best documentary, best short film (under three
minutes), best technical merit, best music video and judge’s choice.

A jury will screen every film entered and select finalists
for screening at the Festival. Filmmakers will be notified if their film is
selected by the week of February 1. Not every film submitted to the Festival
will be selected for screening at the public event.

Official RulesFilms must be produced by teens, ages 12-19, who reside in
the state of Michigan. More than one teen may work on a film. Adults may be
talent in a film, but should perform no other duty in the actual creation of
the film. Films may not be more than 10 minutes long. Teens may submit
more than one film. Films submitted to the festival will not be returned.

A panel of judges will select the winners in each category
except the People’s Choice Award, which will be chosen at the Teen Filmmaker
Festival by the audience members.

Format RequirementsFilms should be submitted as full-quality Quicktime/MOV
files on USB flash drive. DVDs may be submitted instead, but USB drives are
preferred. All other formats, (including VHS, Windows Media Files, low-quality
Quicktime files, etc.) will be automatically disqualified. If submitting on
DVD, entries must be formatted for Region 1 (North America) and labeled with
the film’s title, running time and director(s) name(s). Please double-check
that your DVD plays in its entirety on standard consumer DVD players.